Seaside Point
- Wave, Shortboard
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- Medium waves
- Spot Type
- Crowded
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Seaside Point is an exposed reef/point break at the south end of Seaside that produces a dependable left-hand wave. The surfing reputation is described as premier/world-class, with a fast, peeling character over a boulder/rock bottom and long ride potential on optimal swells. For wind sports, summer conditions can align with NW winds that enable expert-only kitesurfing on the point’s wave. However, the rocky shoreline makes the launch extremely technical: the point itself is described as highly hazardous, so most riders use the main sandy beach and kite/ride down to the break. Winds are also described as more suitable for kiting than for surfing at certain wind directions. Safety is a major concern. The spot is repeatedly characterized by rocks/stone hazards, strong longshore currents and possible rips near the headland, and heavy localism. Surfing etiquette is described as strict, and kiting/windsurfing is discouraged when the surf lineup is crowded. Water temperatures are cold year-round, and cold-water exhaustion is explicitly noted. No lifeguards are reported, while rescue availability is described as limited via local ocean rescue services. Plan for expert-level skill and conservative decision-making—especially around the rocky launch zones and the fast, powerful wave energy.
- World-class left-hand point break with dependable surf
- Fast peeling wave over boulder/rock bottom
- Summer NW wind window for expert wave kiting
- Cold-water year-round conditions
- Highly dependable left-hand point-break surfing with world-class wave quality
- Summer NW winds can support expert-level wave kiting
- Long ride potential on optimal swells
- Exposed reef/point break with significant rocky hazards and technical access
- Heavy localism; not a place for beginners
- Cold water year-round
- Kiting access/launch is hazardous; launching at the point is extremely dangerous and most riders use the sandy beach
- Powerful currents and risk of rips near the headland
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NW, N
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — NW summer clearing winds after morning fog; described as sea-breeze/clearing winds
- Reliability
- Moderate during summer months
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate-gusts reported
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August, September
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–10 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Medium waves
- Beach
- Mixed — Reef/rocky bottom; described as reef and rocks
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Big — Wave size described as big (with significant power and heavy behavior on larger winter swells)
- Launch
- Small — Very limited and technical launch from rocky shoreline; most kiters launch further north on the sandy beach
- Launch Difficulty
- Expert only — Technical and expert-only access due to rocky launch and entry
Through the year
Surf lineup very crowded year-round when the wave is working; kiting is less crowded
November through March
By sport
What to expect for each.
Expert-only wave kiting. The point creates a clean, peeling wave sought after by strapless riders; launching at the point itself is extremely hazardous due to rocks. Most riders launch from the main sandy beach and kite downwind/cross-wind to reach the break.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–10 m²
Possible for expert wave sailors in NW winds, but significantly less common due to difficult access and rocky entry.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.2–5.3 m²
Highly technical due to rocky bottom and depth; only suitable for very experienced foilers who can handle large swells and rocky entries.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foiling is limited by depth/conditions near the shoreline rocks
- Min Depth
- Deep once past the immediate shoreline rocks
- Wing Sizes
- 3–5 m²
Exposed reef/point break with dependable surf that works year-round; peeling left-hand wave over a boulder/rock bottom; highly respected and sensitive location.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- W, NW
- Swell Height
- 1.5–4 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low — Optimal tide reported as low
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed reef and point break; minimal protection
- Wind Effect
- NW winds are better for kiting than surfing here; surf cleanliness is best with off/onshore-friendly lighter E (offshore) or calm winds
- Bigger Swell
- Holds significant size but becomes extremely heavy and dangerous with large winter swells
- Wave Quality
- World class — World-class / premier point-break reputation
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Powerful left-hand point wave
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling wave
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Fast peeling behavior
- Ride Length
- Long — Long left-hand rides reported
- Typical Ride Length
- 150–300 m
- Ride Length Details
- Can offer rides of several hundred meters on optimal swells; typical sessions reported with long runs
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Seaside Point in the full forecast view.
Seaside Point wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 1–13 ktsGusts 22 kts
- Direction
- S191°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2513 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.0–2.8 m9s period
- Temperature
- 5–13 °C
Over the next 7 days, Seaside Point is forecast for daytime winds of 1–13 kts, peaking around 13 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 22 kts. The prevailing direction is S. Waves run 1.0–2.8 m with a period of about 9s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Stones
- Rocks
- Large slippery boulders
- Submerged rocks
- Extreme localism
- Cold water exhaustion
- Powerful currents
- Strong longshore currents and potential for rips near the headland
- Tillamook Head cliffs
- Very limited and technical rocky shoreline launch hazards
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence reported
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability described as limited (ocean rescue services by Seaside Fire & Rescue); US Coast Guard covers the broader coastal region
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospital is Providence Seaside Hospital; emergency services via 911
- Localism / Vibe
- Heavy — Heavy localism noted for the point
Rules of the spot
Strict lineup etiquette is important due to a high-localism 'Point' area.
- Kitesurfing and windsurfing are discouraged in the middle of a crowded surf lineup
- Kite launching right at the point is extremely hazardous due to rocks
- Launch from the sandy beach (at the main beach area) and kite/ride down to the point to avoid the rocks
- Parking is limited at the south end; allow for careful car safety planning per local warnings
- Always respect strict surfing etiquette at the point due to heavy localism
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Portland
- Nearest Town
- Seaside
- Nearest Airport
- Portland International Airport (PDX) (~90 miles / 145 km away) and Astoria Regional Airport (AST) mentioned as a closer option.
- Parking
- Limited parking available at The Cove at the south end of Seaside.
- Public Transport
- North Coast POINT provides daily service between Portland and Seaside; local transit managed by Sunset Empire Transportation District.
- Access
- Walk south along the beach from the end of the Seaside Promenade or drive to the southernmost parking area near the Cove.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous hotels and vacation rentals in Seaside
- Food & Drink
- Full services available in downtown Seaside, a short drive or walk north
- Equipment Rental:
- Highly available for surfing, wetsuits, and paddleboards; specialized kite gear described as limited to specific seasonal operators. Surf shops offer board and wetsuit rentals, but not specialized kite gear.
- Gear Storage
- Available at select surf shops and local storage facilities
- Gear Repair
- Basic surfboard and wetsuit repair services available locally at major surf shops
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Seaside is Oregon’s most famous resort town with strong tourism infrastructure and a cold-water sports community throughout the year.
A historic 1.5-mile paved oceanfront walkway perfect for strolling and cycling.
One of the oldest aquariums on the West Coast, featuring harbor seal feedings.
A rugged hiking trail offering dramatic cliffside views of the Pacific and historic lighthouses.
The main commercial hub filled with saltwater taffy shops, local breweries, and seafood restaurants.
A large indoor entertainment center with classic arcade games and bumper cars.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Seaside Point?
The best overall months at Seaside Point are June, July, August, September. The best wind months are May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Seaside Point?
Seaside Point works with NW, N winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Seaside Point?
Recommended equipment sizes at Seaside Point: Kitesurfing: 7–10 m² · Windsurfing: 4.2–5.3 m² · Wingfoiling: 3–5 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Seaside Point suitable for?
Seaside Point suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Expert · Windsurfing: Expert · Wingfoiling: Expert · Surfing: Advanced.